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Exceptional Colt Model 1851 Army/Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 70222, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is an extraordinary example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured
in 1857. This revolver has the Third Model Navy features which include: (1) small rounded trigger guard, (2) loading lever screws that enter from the left side, (3) beveled loading cut-out in the barrel
lug and (4) recoil shield with no capping channel. This revolver falls within the serial number range of the 18,250 Model 1851 Navy revolvers purchased
by the Ordnance Department for the Army between 1857 and 1858. These Army/Navy revolvers had
a subdued military blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened hammer, frame and loading lever, and brass trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece walnut grips had a oil finish. This revolver has the standard Army/Navy finish with single
letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, back strap, and grips. “U.S.” is stamped in small letters on the left side of the frame beneath the two-line “COLTS/PATENT” marking. The grip is not stamped with Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection mark on the left and right
heel. Lack of these markings may indicate that this revolver was a contract over-run gun. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW- YORK CITY-” in one line.